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CI Nadin said: "We want these individuals to stop and empower them to do so, but if they don't, we won't hesitate to enforce the law and use all the legislation available to us through the 2014 Anti-social Behaviour Act.

"That could lead to charges and a criminal record, so I'd urge them not to be so reckless and inconsiderate, especially because they're actually putting themselves in danger through their actions.

"I'd also ask these individuals' parents - do they know where their children are tonight? Do they know who they're with and what they're doing?

Chief Inspector Jason Nadin

"There'll be a range of tactics employed to deal with this. They'll include high police visibility and covert operations, involving covert CCTV and covert police officers."

CI Nadin's comments come after shoppers were shocked on Sunday, May 6, when the window of the vacant premises of former fruit shop Lowndes shattered before their eyes, leaving a pile of broken glass in the street. Onlookers said a hole had been made at the bottom of the pane the previous night.

In a letter to the authorities, a spokesman for Uttoxeter-based MJ Barrett said: "Any newly-refurbished units would be immediately vandalised and any prospective businesses would be discouraged from locating to the area."

All the glass fell out of the window of the former Lowndes Fruits shop

Three letters from the firm, owned by construction and property magnate Malcolm Barrett, were sent to the authorities.

They described the vandals as "relentless" and said hoarding had been put up to protect the buildings, but 80 per cent of its metal panels had since been damaged.

A meeting was called yesterday, May 10, where police, councillors, social housing bosses and representatives of Thomas Alleyne's High School discussed how to tackle the problem.

Local Neighbourhood Sergeant Scott Gidman is taking a lead role in the project.